How can I make a difference?

• Spay or neuter your dog or cat. Be a part of the solution by not allowing your pet to add to the number of homeless animals Seminole County is currently up against. Even if you find homes for the litter of kittens your cat has, those homes could have been filled with the growing number of kittens still waiting at the shelter.

• Adopt your next companion animal from animal services, or a local shelter or rescue group. When you purchase animals from pet stores and breeders, you are adding to the dog and cat overpopulation problem by supporting breeders and puppy mills. You are not “rescuing” them from the pet store, you are creating room for another puppy to take its place. As many as 30 percent of dogs available for adoption in shelters are purebreds no longer wanted by their owners. The other 70-plus percent are lovable mixed-breed dogs that make wonderful companions who generally have less inherited genetic disease, are healthier and therefore have lower vet bills.

• If you are looking to make a difference in the lives of the homeless animals of Seminole County and want to get involved with TEARS by volunteering at an adoption event or helping with our fund-raising activities, please contact us for more information. Visit our Events page to see what’s coming up.